Building child protection networks at grassroots level

Child protection

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Committee for Children Vu Duc Dam assigned the labour-invalids-social affairs, medical and educational sectors to work with youth and women’s organisations to build child protection networks in communes and wards.

He made the request at the second meeting of the National Committee for Children in Hanoi on March 22.

He instructed the National Committee for Children to hold thematic conferences to share experience and skills in child protection and discuss new issues such as the child-friendly investigation model and children’s courts.

The Deputy PM also singled out several issues that need focus in the future, including violence against children in preschools and primary schools, violence and sexual abuse of children at junior and senior high schools, and the use of drugs among students, among others.

In a report delivered atthe meeting, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha said socio-political and social organisations have played a greater role in providing child protection services and supporting child victims of violence and sexual abuse.

Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Protection of Children’s Right Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa noted that the awareness of families and children on their responsibility for ensuring children’s rights is limited. They also lack skills on preventing and handling violence and sexual abuse of children.

Hoa recommended providing books on children’s rights and measures to protect children for school libraries, and tightening supervision work at grassroots levels. She also urged building child-friendly procedures to encourage families and children to report incidents to the authorities.